At an Emotional Awareness Therapy graduation a former Death Row resident spoke about what the program has done for him.

Steven Crittenden previously spent 35 years isolated in California’s Condemned Unit. He fought back tears as he expressed the love and support he received from the program.

“If the E.A.T. family had not been there for me,” Crittenden said. “I probably would not be here today; the program has taught me that I am not my crime.”

The program held its second annual graduation in San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel to recognize 44 residents for their accomplishments. The program is based on a 12-step process that the founder and SQ resident Harry Goodall Jr. wants to bring the world.

The event kicked off with a meditation practice led by Goodall. He asked the attendees to close their eyes, instructing them take three deep breaths, inhaling through their noses and exhaling through their mouths.

He told the audience to repeat after him, “I accept all of the light and dark. I am worthy of the attention of others.”

The founder added that E.A.T. helps participants find coping skills to deal with their emotions, as a way to remove themselves from the chaos within their bodies.

The program’s chairperson and graduate Eric Allen hosted the event. He greeted everybody and thanked Goodall, who mentored him through the process of emotional awareness.

Allen stated that he has plans to give back to those who have a desire to join the program. He showed appreciation for the group’s sponsor, A. Torres, and San Quentin’s administration.

He asked San Quentin Warden C. Andes to speak; the Warden spoke about how significant it is to be aware of one’s emotions.

“To be aware of our emotions is an important thing. I had to learn a lot myself,” Andes said. “I commend you all for the accountability. I appreciate that. Your family and friends are proud of you.”

Next Allen introduced graduate Alex Monette, who spoke about his journey and what he has learned through the program.

“I use to think I was tough, until I unlocked what was once buried,” Monette said. “If we can invest in our emotional education, we can prevent victims from being created.”

E.A.T. graduate Estrella “Star” Redondo said that this is her second time participating in the program; she was asked to come back.

“Before I was not able to internalize the trauma in my childhood. Now I am able to understand, which has helped me identify my problems,” Redondo said.

The program’s sponsor Francie Lehmer showed appreciation for Goodall and the graduates. She told the audience that what she has learned from the program applies to her everyday life.

“I am proud of you for the hard and painful work you endured. Anybody can benefit from this program,” Lehmer said. “May you all be free from suffering, and facilitate for life.”

SQ resident graduate Aaron Moton performed a dance routine of modern Hip-Hop. He did a back flip and the audience responded with oohs and ahs.

“Dancing for me is a coping skill. It brings me peace and joy,” Moton said. “I have been dancing since I was five years old.”

Patrick Scott from the nonprofit organization 100 years was in attendance. He said that his group goes into Bay Area Juvenile Halls to mentor at-risk youth. The group’s name was chosen from time served in prison by him and two other colleagues.

“Every room you walk in, you must have emotional awareness,” said Scott. “You must be aware of your surroundings wherever you are.”

A video presentation was narrated by the program’s founder. The film identified the accomplishment of the graduates’ emotional awareness to live violence free.

“Healing is complicated, because most have lived with trauma,” Goodall narrated.

“You no longer have to hold on to that trauma that you have held on to for so long.”

Another graduate, Abdiel Guerrero, told attendees that his thoughts were mostly negative and/or criminal. He added that by taking those negative thoughts, people could shift them to more positive actions.

Alison Hunter, a member of E.A.T.’s board, said that she is a writer, an editor, a visual artist, and jokingly the inventor of liquid soap.

She added that, the group offers a second chance, just “not the second chance people think.” She was referring to a moment in time, and that a second will not be lost in time for anyone who is graduating.

Hunter said that she experienced the loss of her mother and her dog; a friend called her when she was mourning, but she did not answer.

“I did not have anything to give anybody,” Hunter said. “The hard work you put in will pay off in a moment’s time.”

The time had come to present the graduates with certificates of achievement. Goodall, Torres, and Lehmer took to the stage in acknowledgment of the 44 graduates.

Each certificate described viable coping skills the group teaches its members in order for them to combat domestic violence, alcohol addiction, cognitive distortions, and trauma.

All in attendance were served pepperoni and cheese pizza, tortilla chips, raspberry muffins, and Gatorade as people mingled with family and friends.

“This graduation was not about the food. It’s about the men who dedicated themselves for six months to a year addressing trauma, learning coping skills and the ability to grow as an individual,” Allen said.